IB Design Technology Topic B2.1: The Design Process Key Definitions

Clearly articulate the design challenge based on user insights.

A design specification is a detailed list of requirements, constraints, and important considerations that a product must meet.

Develop the intended solution through iterative model–test–refine cycles.

Discover the needs, motivations, behaviours, and experiences of the intended user.

The process of assessing a design against specific criteria such as user needs, functionality, and aesthetics to determine its effectiveness and success.

Ideation is the process of generating multiple, diverse ideas to solve a defined design problem. It encourages exploration of different approaches before choosing the best direction for development.

Explore a wide range of creative ideas and develop early representations.

An ongoing process of repetition where each iteration builds on the results of the previous one, aiming to gradually improve and reach a desired goal or solution.

A persona is a fictional but realistic profile of the target user, based on real data and insights gathered from user research. It represents their goals, needs, behaviours, and limitations to help guide design decisions.

Effectively communicate the final design and its development process.

Research carried out directly by the user through testing, observation, or data collection to gather original insights.

A problem statement is a short and clear description of a specific issue that needs to be solved. It explains what the problem is and what needs to be addressed

A systematic evaluation of a product to assess its features, identify its strengths and weaknesses, and uncover opportunities for enhancement or innovation.

Research undertaken by someone other than the user.

A visual tool used to communicate how a product is used, through images, drawings, or photographs, to represent the user experience. It helps identify opportunities for improvement by highlighting key interactions and challenges.

The degree to which a product enables specified users to achieve defined goals effectively, efficiently, and with consistency and predictability.

The experience and emotional response a person has during the use or anticipated use of a product, system, or service. It is often communicated through a storyboard to show empathy and highlight key interactions and touchpoints.